Background: Osteoporosis is an extra-articular complication of rheumatoid arthritis that results in increased risk of fractures and associated morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Objective: To evaluate changes in bone mineral density in a sample of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients on biological (anti tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha) and non-biological agent disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Patients and Methods: A cross sectional study enrolled 60 RA patients diagnosed by rheumatologist according to the 2010 American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism (2010 ACR/EULAR) classification criteria for RA. Thirty patient on biological agent (anti TNF alpha) and 30 patient on non-biological agent (DMARD). RA disease-related data wincluded disease duration, disease activity score index of 28 joints (DAS 28) and clinical disease activity index (CDAI), functional class, body mass index and treatment history. vitamin D level were measured in both groups. Bone mineral density was measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry of hip and lumber spines for patients. AT–score of equal or less than-2.5 standard deviation that of young healthy adults were taken as osteoporotic and scores between-1 to-2.5 standard deviation was taken as osteopenic. Results: Prevalence of RA patients on biological agent (anti TNF alpha) who had osteoporosis was 1 (3%) and 12 (40%) were osteopenic, and in patients on non biological (DMARD), Osteoporosis was present in 8 (26%) and osteopenia in 13 (43%, p= 0.019). Vitamin D level in patient on biological agent (anti TNF alpha) was low in 24 (80%) and normal …
Asphalt Hot Mix (HMA) is mainly applied in highway construction in Iraq because of its economic advantage and easy maintenance. Various factors impact the performance of HMA in the field. It is one of the significant impacts on aggregate gradation. The Universal Specification for Roads and Bridges in Iraq (SCRB) limits the different types of asphalt layers and allows for designed tolerance aggregate gradation. It is quite hard for contractors in the present asphalt industries to achieve the required job mix because of sieves' control problems. This study focuses on the effects on the required specification performance of aggregate deviations by using original and modified asphalt binder with AC(40-50) and
... Show MoreThis study aimed to identidy the role of a professional social worker practice specialist in the field of social care for Corona patients, in light of some demographic variables such as (gender, marital status, economic status,), through a field study at the Iraqi Ministry of Social Affairs. A random sample of (50) social workers in the Iraqi Ministry of Social Affairs in various places affiliated with the ministry was chosen. a questionnaire developed by the researcher about the role of the social worker in the field of social care for Corona patients was administered to the study sample to collect the needed data. The results showed that there is a positive statistically significant correlation relationship at the level (0.01) between
... Show MoreMany oil and gas processes, including oil recovery, oil transportation, and petroleum processing, are negatively impacted by the precipitation and deposition of asphaltene. Screening methods for determining the stability of asphaltenes in crude oil have been developed due to the high cost of remediating asphaltene deposition in crude oil production and processing. The colloidal instability index, the Asphaltene-resin ratio, the De Boer plot, and the modified colloidal instability index were used to predict the stability of asphaltene in crude oil in this study. The screening approaches were investigated in detail, as done for the experimental results obtained from them. The factors regulating the asphaltene precipitation are different fr
... Show MoreTwo groups of chronic hepatitis B and C virus patients were divided into Pre-treated patients (25 CHB patients with positive HBs Ag for more than 6 months and 40 CHC patients), and post-treated patients [12 CHB patients (4, 6, and 2 were treated with lamivudine, IFN-? and combination of LMV + IFN-? respectively), and 27 patients for CHC (3, 13 and 11 patients were treated with Ribavirin, IFN-? and combination therapy (RBV+ IFN-?) respectively].These patients were followed up for 6 months. By using ELISA technique, levels of IL-6, IL-10, IFN-? and TNF-? were measured in vivo and in vitro (supernatant of PBMCs stimulated with PHA) and compared with healthy control. The mean level of IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-? in CHB patients showed significant dif
... Show MoreThe aim of this study is to evaluate the implementation of ICT applications in public service organizations, which is responsible for the implementation of public policy. The study examined the success of ICT in achieving its goals by meeting the main needs of the community members which is the first requirement in the success of sustainable development plans before determine the capabilities of ICT. The main pillar of success in the implementation of ICT systems is the key to improving the efficiency of the organization's performance. This is a reflection of the effectiveness and quality of the services provided to its beneficiaries. The study concluded that the current level of capabilities of individuals working in public organizations i
... Show MoreUnderstanding energy metabolism and intracellular energy transmission requires knowledge of the function and structure of the mitochondria. Issues with mitochondrial morphology, structure, and function are the most prevalent symptoms. They can damage organs such as the heart, brain, and muscle due to a variety of factors, such as oxidative damage, incorrect metabolism of energy, or genetic conditions. The control of cell metabolism and physiology depends on functional connections between mitochondrial and biological surroundings. Therefore, it is essential to research mitochondria in situ or in vivo without isolating them from their surrounding biological environment. Finding and spotting abnormal alterations in mitochondria is the
... Show MoreContinuous escalation of the cost of generating energy is preceded by the fact of scary depletion of the energy reserve of the fossil fuels and pollution of the environment as developed and developing countries burn these fuels. To meet the challenge of the impending energy crisis, renewable energy has been growing rapidly in the last decade. Among the renewable energy sources, solar energy is the most extensively available energy, has the least effect on the environment, and is very efficient in terms of energy conversion. Thus, solar energy has become one of the preferred sources of renewable energy. Flat-plate solar collectors are one of the extensively-used and well-known types of solar collectors. However, the effectiveness of the coll
... Show MoreThe past several years have seen an increase in awareness of the pervasiveness of medications as pollutants in the aquatic environment. The main reason for concern regarding the release of pharmaceuticals into the environment is the possibility that biological agents may become opposing to them. The development of precise and reliable analytical techniques for pharmaceutical determination in a range of samples is necessary for their safe use in the pharmaceutical industry and medical treatments. This review offers a summary of chromatographic techniques for identifying and quantifying the examination of pharmaceuticals in a range of environmental samples. Both the general public and the scientific community are currently very intere
... Show MoreThe subject of social capital is of great importance, as it provides an analytical framework for researchers interested in understanding the impact of the Internet on many dimensions of human and social life. And because social networking sites have infiltrated societies and produced new variables at the level of human and social communication, this study came to examine the relationship between the use of the social networking site Facebook and the accumulation of social capital among a sample of University of Algeria 3 students, by researching the variables of intensity of use and patterns of use as independent variables and their relationship to social capital. The results of the field study revealed a strong relationship between the
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